Re: [CODE4LIB] Inexpensive Microfiche viewers?

[Joe Hourclé]

On May 13, 2022, at 7:36 PM, Martin, Will  wrote:
> 
> All,
> 
> For many years, one of our catalogers had a small microfiche viewer on her 
> desk - a Northwest Microfilm model 14.  It was ancient, 100% analog, and 
> perfectly adequate to her work.
> 
> A couple days ago it gave up the ghost.  The optics will no longer focus - 
> the physical bits are just worn to the point where they no longer hold their 
> position.

Are there any machine shops on your campus?  They might be able to make 
replacement gears for you.

(A good machinist can maintain all of the machining equipment they use, but not 
all universities keep them on staff anymore; I would check either the 
engineering school or if there’s a property/facility maintenance group… but 
engineering typically going to be able to make smaller parts; sciences might 
have machinists if they do a lot of research and need things built, too)

It might also be possible with 3D printers, but I don’t know what the 
durability would be, so it might be more trouble than it’s worth.

-Joe

[CODE4LIB] Inexpensive Microfiche viewers?

[Martin, Will]

All,

For many years, one of our catalogers had a small microfiche viewer on her desk 
- a Northwest Microfilm model 14.  It was ancient, 100% analog, and perfectly 
adequate to her work.

A couple days ago it gave up the ghost.  The optics will no longer focus - the 
physical bits are just worn to the point where they no longer hold their 
position.

So I'm looking for some kind of small microfiche viewer for her desk.  So far, 
everything I've found costs thousands of dollars and comes with a ton of 
features that she doesn't need.

I found one product that looked promising (the F2D 
Saturn).  Something like 
that might work: it looks simple to operate, it has HDMI out so we could hook 
it up to a monitor, and it's inexpensive.  Unfortunately, although it claims to 
support microfiche, I don't think it actually does.  The largest film 
dimensions it supports are 60x90 mm, when a standard microfiche is 105x147 mm.

So, does anyone have suggestions for an inexpensive fiche reader that'll fit on 
someone's desk?  Ease of use is important too.

Will Martin

Head of Digital Initiatives, Systems and Services
Chester Fritz Library
University of North Dakota
he/his/him

701.777.4638